Neither Rory McIlroy Nor Brooks Koepka: The Biggest Ovation of the 105th PGA Championship Belongs to Michael Block

The 2023 PGA Championship has been full of ups and downs. At the ongoing 105th edition, the golf world was undoubtedly anticipating another clash among the top-ranked golfers. However, the event at Oak Hill has been exactly the opposite of expectations. While some of the big golf stars struggled at the second major of the year, numerous up-and-coming golfers came out on top at the event. One of the names on the list is Michael Block.

Block has been making headlines from the ongoing major with his name on the leaderboard. The 46-year-old caught everyone’s eye after he finished the third round in eighth place. With a place among the top players, the fans at Oak Hill are in full support of the PGA Club pro.

Michael Block generates unexpected hype at the 2023 PGA Championship

Since the first day of the event, Block has mesmerized the fans with his incredible performance. As the show went on, the attention on him only grew until, at the final round, it was at its peak, surpassing both world no. 3 Rory McIlroy and the current leader at the event, Brooks Koepka!

On Sunday, Block was paired with Rory McIlroy. Despite that, it was he who stole the show for the fans! When the two players came on the course on Sunday, it was time for their introduction. The four-time major champion was the first to be announced, and the crowd cheered in excitement as he took his place at the first tee. But when Block was called upon soon after, the crowd roared much louder, cheering on the 46-year-old.

Block arguably received the loudest ovation from fans during the entire event. And as per the PGA’s latest Instagram post, he was the undisputed ovation champion at the event! Uploading a video of his cheers, the PGA wrote, “‘The biggest ovation of the Championship.’ The people love @blockiegolf.” In the video, fans can clearly be seen cheering wildly for Block soon after his name was announced.

Block is one of the twenty teaching professionals competing in the field at Oak Hill. This was his career’s seventh start at a major and will certainly be his most memorable one. Well, at least for now! The Californian club pro is currently tied for 15th place with the big guns like Tyrrell Hatton and Eric Cole. His heroics out of the blue at his 5th PGA Championship undoubtedly won over the hearts of the fans!

Read More: ‘Looking Forward to It’: Rory McIlroy Joins Golf Fans as They Adore Michael Block Over His Million Dollar Reaction Video From Oak Hill

Block’s career on the PGA Tour

To date, Block has participated in numerous PGA Tour competitions. The 46-year-old has only made four cuts in his career out of 24 events on the circuit. He participated in a major for the first time at the 2007 U.S. Open, but he failed to reach the cut. The PGA Club pro has participated in four PGA Championships and one U.S. Open Championship over the years. However, Block never made the cut in any of these major events. In his fifth outing at the PGA Championship this year, he has not only made the cut but also established himself among the elite.

Although he has not yet found success on the Tour, the 46-year-old has won $38,038. This, of course, excludes the whopping six figures he will make today thanks to his incredible finish!

He has worked with a number of the best young players and is a well-liked instructor in Southern California. Additionally, Block represents the Folds of Honor Foundation, which awards spouses and kids of deceased and disabled service people with financial aid for their schooling. It certainly seems like he pays forward all the good he receives!

What are your views on Block’s ovation being the best at the event? Do you believe it? Let us know in the comments below.

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